Month: December 2014

I was born in Solihull, West Midlands, UK. I now live in Lincolnshire UK.

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc

I joined the Royal Air Force aged seventeen, and enjoyed my career until I was discharged for a back injury in 2010. I stayed at home for a little while to raise my two children, during that time I did a level three writing qualification having studied English Literature and language whilst I was still serving. It was then I started writing short stories for British women’s magazines.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

I’ve just about finished a first draft of my current work in progress, Kissing Cassie. It’s a contemporary adult romance. I’ve decided to move away from paranormal romance, not because I don’t love it, but a change is as good as…

All Gloria Falcon wants is to have a nice New Year’s Eve with a nice man. Is that so much to ask? But after seven disastrous New Years in a row, this year she’s trying something different. Committed to spending her New Year’s Eve manning the phones at a suicide crisis phone line, Gloria is sure the karma she earns will break her New Year’s curse. But when a blackout cancels her night of philanthropy, rather than spend the night moping in the dark, she goes on a ride along with the cute electric company lineman who failed to fix the power.

Charlie Zhang is not much of a New Year believer either. He’s coasting through life after being discharged from the army and trying not to let his cynicism of pretty much everything define him. When Gloria Falcon climbs into Charlie’s life, and his repair truck, neither of them expect this to be the New Year’s Eve that changes their minds, and their fate, forever.

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast read. The author leads the reader in with Gloria’s woeful New Years Eve history. Gloria has has such bad luck in the past, starting off during her childhood. Understandably so, Gloria is massively superstitious when it comes to this date on the calendar. However, she’s determined this year will be different…

In comes Charlie’s POV. The book is beautifully written in first person narrative, swapping between the two main character’s POV’s with each chapter. The only criticism I have is that their wasn’t enough difference between the two voices, at times I found myself trying to remember who’s POV it was. It’s incredibly difficult to achieve a huge difference in character voices, and to be honest, I found myself thinking it was because these two were made for each other?

As always, Gloria’s New Years Eve plan takes a turn for the worse when there is a power cut at the church she is volunteering at for the night. She figured that taking calls from suicidal people on New Years Eve would rid her of her New Year curse. Enter Charlie, who is on call for a power firm that night. He’s immediately attracted to Gloria and her…erm…tights! The pair are so cute when they are flirting, the author has achieved realism in the way they dance around each other in the attempt to discover if the feelings are mutual.

Then comes the action, there is plenty of it in this novella. My heart skipped a beat when an unexpected turn of events leaves Gloria in danger. Charlie is a good old fashioned night in shining armour.

If you’re looking for a flowery narrative, don’t pick up this book. The author cuts right to the chase in this fast paced novella. It was refreshing to read something punchy, funny, and realistic. I really enjoyed every minute of it. I’m looking forward to reading more of The Fireworks Novella’s.

If you scroll down you’ll see that I reviewed Point of Submission, the first in this two part series. I loved the smooth simplicity and flow of Remy’s writing style but I wasn’t wowed by the story line.

This book is where things changed. This story was different to most romance novels I’ve read, and trust me, I’ve read a lot. I know the author will be pleased to know that I loved it.

Her writing style is still amazing, seamless and beautiful. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down…I mean, how very dare my children speak to me!

The pain, feelings of loss, need, and gut wrenching love held me captive from page one through till the last one. My heart ached the whole way through. I begged for Cassandra to give in to Carlo to rid the dull ache in my chest every time my eyes scanned the pages, or in this case my iPhone.

When she introduced Josh, a sexy, calming and gorgeous new work mate my heart screamed ‘No!’, but my head agreed he was probably the safest choice for her. But, meh! Who wants safe when you can have sexy, dangerous, captivating, hotness? Not this girl.

This storyline was different in two ways…firstly she did NOT give in to him. He pursued her in ways that made me long to meet this man, have him break my heart, and my trust in the sexiest of ways and then fight to win me back. This story is focussed on their own personal battles as well as the one between them. They worked through them separately.

Secondly, Carlo was chasing the hell out of Cassandra. It was clear, even to him, that he was doggone in love with her. However, when a woman is all out offering herself to a hot blooded male met with iron resistance from the woman he truly wants he’s gonna’ take it. That for me was beautifully realistic. I love realistic in a book and Landon did not fail to impress. I was also glad because her sex scenes are smokin’.

Also, when the end comes…which unfortunately it did, you won’t feel like it was rushed. You’ll feel satisfied that Carlo and Cassandra are real, they’ll be together forever, because she took her time and felt sure before she gave her heart away.

I’m truly sad that it doesn’t look as though Landon is producing another book in this series. I’d have liked to have seen what came next for the couple. That said, I’m a true Remy Landon fan forever.

Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.

She was unlike any other…

Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.

Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?

Excerpt:

His skin tingled with some kind of sudden anticipation. He heard the hum of blood in her veins. The sweet scent of her arousal returned. His animal instinct woke up, the need for blood overpowered by the need for her. He tamped it down, clenching his jaw. He wasn’t going to violate her while she was unconscious. But how had she become aroused? On some level, he knew she sensed his presence. How was that possible? Was Desiree not only of strong mind but supernatural as well? He had heard of witches, humans that had certain abilities. They kept themselves in hiding too, but he knew they existed. Was she one of them? Could she sense him?

For a brief moment, Alec saw through her eyes. Hazy vision, mild muscle aches, a weird displacement. Ah, hell, he thought. She was waking up, and he’d just had some kind of bizarre connection with her. He doubted she realized it. He would be able to read her mind soon. It was one of his gifts. He didn’t hear every thought from humans, but he caught enough for self-preservation.

He focused on the road ahead, prepared for anything. With her, he should. She was strong, unpredictable. Lovely, too, he thought, his gaze sweeping over her again in the rearview mirror. Her lashes lifted slowly, almost as if she had trouble keeping them open. When they were all the way open, he caught her ice-blue gaze again. Her eyes captivated him and his chest ached. Weird, he thought, shaking off the sensation.

Just focus on getting her there, he told himself. That was the only thing he had to do. He’d worry about the rest later.

***

Desiree struggled to awaken. There was a jostling movement, and the sound of an engine. Her body began to tingle all over. She opened her eyes to see that she was lying across the backseat of a car. As her vision cleared fully, she could discern the shape of the driver. Wide shoulders, short black hair. She shivered. Dear God, she was a captive! She should have called the cops right away. At least then someone would guess what had happened to her.

“You’re safe,” a voice rasped.

Her voice was hoarse when she replied, “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t blame you, but I assure you it’s true.”

The deep rumble of his tone reverberated through her body, lighting fires where they shouldn’t be. She sucked in a breath and tried to sit up, but her wrists and ankles were bound, making her body little more than dead weight. She moaned at the situation she found herself in. She was dressed, she realized. Fully dressed in jeans and a camisole. That was very … enterprising of him.

Author Bio:

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Her newest book is Second Nature, a paranormal romance. Lavender released Magick & Moonlight, a romance with fantasy elements, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

Most kids had imaginary friends, but most weren’t like Megan’s friend Niall. There were rules: only at night and only by the sea. She could’ve sworn he was real, but when someone vanishes without a trace, what else can you believe?

All that was seven years ago, buried in the past until Niall shows up in town with his tight swimmer’s body and easy smile. For Megan, just the sight of him is enough to tear open a scar that never fully healed. However, their reunion only elicits more questions. Niall’s keeping secrets, unbelievable ones, and as Megan delves into the supernatural depths of who he really is, she’s sure he’ll vanish again.

Megan’s not stupid—she knows how bad it’ll hurt if she gets involved. The first time Niall disappeared, she never thought she’d recover. But the moment they lock eyes, it’s too late—because Megan will go to any length to see that boy smile.

Review

Well, where do I begin? I can honestly say, I’m almost speechless…those of you that know me will know that that is serious business.

McIntyre’s writing style is completely flawless. Reading her work is like floating on the waves of a comforting sea (pun intended).

This story is set in a gorgeous seaside town. Poor Meagan has suffered years of therapy having clung onto an ‘imaginary’ friend well past it’s ‘sell by date’. Her family and therapist managed to convince her that she had imagined a whole person, dreamed him up until *poof* he was gone. With no proof he ever existed she had no choice but to believe he’d been nothing but a figment of her imagination.

That’s until he shows up in town seven years later, going by a different name, but she recognises him anyway and finally get’s some guts from somewhere to confront him. When he gave her his explanation of why he’d disappeared I kind of reared by head back… He’s a what?. But I have to tell you it worked. It worked because it was refreshingly different.

Anyway, Niall has lost something precious, something he really needs back. Meagan agrees to help him find it even though she’s filled with despair, knowing he’ll disappear from her life once more as soon as the object if found.

This novella is beautifully written, filled with angst, and possesses a unique story line. It’s written in first person, which I tend to enjoy. I connected with the two main characters and easily gauged exactly what Niall was thinking and feeling despite the story being in the first person. The story was captivating, funny, sweet and unputdownable.

Well done to the Author! This is the easiest five stars (or five shells in this case) I’ve ever given to a book…

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Falling to Pieces

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Author of a paranormal romance series, Falling to Pieces (Book 1) and Falling into You (Book 2).
She's an avid reader of all genres.
L.T. Kelly is currently working on a contemporary adult romance, "Kissing Cassie."
"I love anything with vampires in...my mother hasn't learned this yet she asks me, for example..."Did you watch Britain's Got Talent last night." I merely reply.."Does it have vampires in it?""-L.T. Kelly.